After joining the war, Huang became a runner and was later awarded the Meritorious Service, Third Class for his bravery. At the Battle of Triangle Hill in October 1952, Huang's unit was tasked with destroying an enemy blockhouse. According to official accounts, Huang hurled himself against a machine gun slit on the blockhouse after running out of ammunition, blocking enemy fire while sacrificing his life. As a result of his heroism, the Chinese forces overran the position while annihilating an significant amount of enemy. In one version of the story, it was also claimed that Huang's final action was specifically inspired by the Soviet war film Private Alexander Matrosov, which was in turn based on the real life exploit of Alexander Matrosov during the Great Patriotic War.[2]

Huang was posthumously given the title of "Combat Hero, Second Class",[2] which was later upgraded to "Combat Hero, Special Class". The North Korean government also awarded Huang with the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", a Gold Star Medal and the Medal of the National Flag, First-Class.[3]